Urbanization and transformation of suburban communities will be focus of June 18 Fairfax County conference

Fairfax County EDA will host The New Urban Economic Model: The Transformation of Fairfax County

Fairfax County, Virginia USA, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 -

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) announced today that it will host a conference to examine trends in urbanization and the transformation of suburban communities. “The New Urban Economic Model: The Transformation of Fairfax County” event will be held June 18 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. It will include keynote addresses by Urban Land Institute Senior Resident Fellow (and former Indianapolis mayor) William Hudnut and Brookings Institution urban policy scholar Anthony Downs.

“Fairfax County, once a suburban bedroom community of Washington D.C., has emerged as a major business location and is poised to continue to be the economic engine for the Washington area and Virginia. The county is in a unique position to host a national discussion on how suburban communities can urbanize and remain great places to live and work,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).

The conference will present thought-provoking discussion around such topics as:

• What happens (or should happen) when a suburban community evolves into an urban center?
• How does a community navigate such a transformation while maintaining its position as a desirable location for business – with a strong economy and a higher quality of life?

In addition to the keynote addresses from Hudnut and Downs, the conference will feature distinguished experts and panelists:

• Panelists from the Washington, New York and Seattle who will describe how forward-thinking communities are rising to the challenges and opportunities created by urbanization.
• Senior corporate executives will provide an in-depth understanding of the critical factors their companies consider when expanding or relocating in an urbanizing community.

Sponsors of the Transforming Fairfax conference include NAIOP Northern Virginia, Visit Fairfax and the Washington Business Journal.

This event follows the FCEDA’s successful 2007 National Conference on the Creative Economy. It is tailored for corporate executives, corporate facilities managers, site location consultants, commercial real estate professionals, economic developers and urban planners, as well as anyone interested in the strategic development of Fairfax County as a business location. Visit www.transformingfairfax.org for event information and registration.